Five Days in London, May 1940

"A masterpiece. . . . Nobody has done more than John Lukacs to turn the short history book into an art form." ― Anthony Beevor

"As gripping as any novel." ― Robert Harris

"A short but magnificent history book." ― Daniel Finkelstein

The days from May 24 to May 28, 1940, altered the course of the history of the twentieth century, as the members of the British War Cabinet debated whether to negotiate with Hitler or to continue what became known as the Second World War. The decisive importance of these five days is the focus of John Lukacs’s magisterial new book.

A Deep Dive into History

Lukacs takes us hour by hour into the critical unfolding of events at 10 Downing Street, where Churchill and the members of his cabinet were painfully considering their war responsibilities. Key moments include:

• The military disasters unfolding on the Continent, particularly the plight of nearly 400,000 British soldiers trapped in Dunkirk.
• Churchill’s fragile political situation, having been prime minister for only a fortnight and viewed as impetuous and hotheaded by many in his own party.
• The mood of the British people, as revealed through newspaper accounts and Mass-Observation reports, showing how the citizenry—though only partly informed about the dangers—began to rally behind Churchill’s determination to stand fast.

A Unique Perspective

Other historians have explored Churchill’s struggles during this period, relying on partial revelations from memoirs and private or public papers. However, Lukacs is the first to fully convey the drama and significance of these pivotal days.

Through a compelling narrative that blends deep historical knowledge with a high literary style, Lukacs brings these five days to life, illustrating how they shaped the trajectory of the Second World War and, ultimately, the twentieth century itself.